October 30, 2017 - Mr. Michael Maher, Public Administrator for the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority announced the review of a number of patient files in light of an internal audit conducted by the Hay River Health and Social Services Authority (HRHSSA).
Following the discovery of several instances where patient referrals to specialists and other medical services were either delayed or not completed, the HRHSSA audited all referrals ordered between October 13 – 26, 2017. Of those referrals, 41 irregularities were found. Of this number, 21 patients are being contacted. Eighteen referral irregularities were corrected resulting in no impact to the client. Two clients had more than one referral.
The irregularities found included instances where non-essential patient information was improperly shared with heath care providers. This improper sharing of information constitutes a privacy breach and proper steps have been taken to notify the patients and the Northwest Territories Privacy Commissioner.
Patients who received a delay in referrals or a privacy breach are being contacted by the HRHSSA. Referral appointments are being rescheduled as soon as possible.
The Authority is bringing in additional health care staff from the Department of Health and Social Services and the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority to help complete the review.
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“Our first priority is the patient and ensuring patients received the appropriate care from health care providers. We would like to apologize to any of our clients who received a delay in service, the Authority has taken appropriate steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again, said Mr. Michael Maher.
For more information contact:
Mr. Damien Healy
Manager Planning and Communications | Gestionnaire de la planification et des communications
Department of Health and Social Services | Ministère de la Santé et des Services sociaux
Government of the Northwest Territories | Gouvernement des Territoires du Nord-Ouest
Phone | Tél. : 867-767-9052, ext. | poste 49034
Cell. : 867-445-8230
Fax | Téléc. : 867-873-0204
Email | Courriel : damien_healy@gov.nt.ca
Website | Site Web : www.hss.gov.nt.ca